Pro Punter Preview: 2019 Wyong Cup Day

Friday is Wyong Cup Day, headlined by the main event and the Listed Mona Lisa Stakes

Get NSW pro punter Mark Rhoden’s best bets for the day, plus his previews of the main races.

Its Cup day at Wyong, so we got our NSW pro punter Mark Rhoden to give us his thoughts on today’s best chances… plus a rundown of the main races.

Race 6: Listed Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m)

MAP: Expect Mandylion to lead, with Greysful Glamour and Notation not far away and Connemara taking a handy position from the good gate.

CONNEMARA (16) looks very nicely placed in this. She was dominant last start, Nash Rawiller retains the ride and she maps well. She’s a solid bet at a backable price. ORGANZA (13) ran very well in Melbourne before a little freshen up. She doesn’t win many these days but is very consistent and is suited by the weight conditions. I’ll be saving on her. NOTATION (10) has been very solid this campaign. Gets the services of McDonald today and while she’s well found in the market, as always, she has a chance. FOXY HOUSEWIFE (12) won well at her first start for the Joe Pride stable. She’s been kept fresh and has trialled nicely in preparation for this and can run a race at good odds. INTO THE ABYSS (14) is a talented mare who ran well first-up and is up to a more suitable trip now. The awkward draw might be her biggest stumbling block.

Betting

13 Organza (saver)

16 Connemara

Race 7: Listed Wyong Gold Cup (2100m)

MAP: Stampede to go the front, with Hogmanay and Vaucluse Bay handy and Hush Writer coming across from out wider.

STAMPEDE (3) was back to something like his best last start and should get his chance on the speed with the noted front-running rider on board. Can’t get him as short as the early market, however. SIXTIES GROOVE (1) is the Brisbane Cup winner who should still have some residual fitness from his Queensland campaign. Nash Rawiller takes the ride but he has 61kg and a wide gate to overcome. DUCA VALENTINOIS (4) gets his first try at this trip but will be fitter now and is generally competitive at this level. HIGH OPINION (16) found the line as well as anything in the Premiers Cup Prelude, the same race Stampede comes through. Drawn badly but has a rough chance at big odds. HUSH WRITER (9) is hard to assess, but the drier trackshould be a plus and he’s capable of winning at his best. VAUCLUSE BAY (13) is not the best horse in the race but is fit and has been racing consistently in Queensland, a roughie with some chance. HOGMANAY (14) is in a similar boat to his stablemate Vaucluse Bay, has a fitness edge and is drawn to get every chance. WU GOK (6) won the Premiers Cup last start but is at his best on heavy tracks. Under the odds in my opinion.

Betting

No recommended bet here. I have Stampede on top but it looks an open race and the price is too short for me. Sixties Groove can win if he’s forward enough, and Hush Writer, Vaucluse Bay, Hogmanay and High Opinion have rough chances at big odds.

Other Best Bets

Race 3, No. 6 Famous

FAMOUS (6) has shortened a little since yesterday but still worth a moderate play. He was dominant in winning his maiden at Newcastle first-up before being outclassed in the Up And Coming Stakes last start. He’s drawn to get run of the race with J McDonald here and if he bounces back to his first-up form is the one to beat. SPLENDID SURPRISE (2) looks the main danger off a big maiden win, and TOUCH OF MINK (1) is well placed in this class on her best form.

Race 4, No. 9 Bid’n’Bare

BID’N’BARE (9) went very close at this track last Sunday and if she copes with the step up to 1600m looks nicely placed here. She followed exactly the same pattern last preparation – a good second-up run followed by a third-up win off a quick back up. She maps well and looks a good bet, albeit with that slight distance query.

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